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# Update 32GB Chromebooks via USB

Update the Desktop on 32GB Chromebooks with a USB drive. These devices require extra steps to free up space before updating.

### 1. Prepare the USB Drive

First, you need to copy the correct update files to a USB drive. This is done on a computer that already has the updates.

#### Verify Update Exists Locally

Verify the standard `desktop` component is available locally.

    # Check for the standard desktop component
    tl-comp-latest desktop

If the component is not there, pull it from the bastion first.

#### Transfer Files to USB

Mount your USB and copy the `desktop` and `admin` components to it.

    # Mount the 4th partition of your USB drive
    sudo mount /dev/sdx4 /mnt

    # Create the destination directories
    mkdir -p /mnt/desktop /mnt/admin

    # Transfer the standard desktop and the admin component
    rsync -avP /srv/desktop/vX.X.X* /mnt/desktop/
    rsync -avP /srv/admin/vX.X.X* /mnt/admin/

Note

Replace `vX.X.X` with the actual version number you found.

Unmount the drive when done:

    # Unmount the drive safely
    sudo umount /mnt

### 2. Prepare the Chromebook

On the 32GB Chromebook you intend to update, you must free up space before proceeding.

1. Open the application menu and launch the Manage Components tool.
2. Use the tool to delete all existing desktop versions and snapshots. This is a critical step.

### 3. Install the Update

#### Boot from the USB Drive

Restart the Chromebook and boot from the prepared USB drive. For most Chromebooks, you can do this by pressing `ESC` during startup to get the boot menu.

#### Execute the Update

From the USB environment, run the update command, targeting the Chromebook’s internal drive (e.g., `/dev/mmcblk0`).

    # Update an existing TechLit system
    tl-hw-update-desktop /dev/mmcblk0

Tip

If the above command fails or you want to do a completely fresh installation, you can use `tl-hw-prepare` instead. See the device provisioning guide for more details.

#### Complete the Update

After the command finishes, reboot the Chromebook.

    reboot